breathe

chapter 26 | charlotte

Chapter Twenty-Six

Charlotte

My mom had always encouraged my independence and sense of adventure. From a young age, she fostered my curiosity about the world. So when Ben and I presented Dani's plan for me to join them in Europe, she didn't hesitate to say yes.

"Just promise me you'll be safe and call if you need anything," she had said, giving Ben and I long goodbye hugs in the airport. I knew letting me go was a big step of faith on her part. But she trusted that I was ready.

Dani was too sick to travel, and Alex wasn't as thrilled about "playing third wheel" on our trip, so we went alone. "I'll pass on watching you two make googly eyes at each other across the world," Alex scoffed as we finalized our itinerary.

On the morning we were set to leave, Ben and I lingered in the airport terminal, not yet ready to say goodbye to Dani. We both wanted to spend more time with her, not knowing if her sickness would get worse when we were gone.

"You two better go before you miss your flight," she insisted, giving each of us a final hug. As we reluctantly turned to leave, I glanced back at Dani waving with a smile.

We had now been exploring Europe together for three wonderful weeks. On one sunny morning, Ben and I sat side by side in Luxembourg Gardens, people watching as we snacked on still-warm croissants from a local bakery.

"What's on the agenda today?" I asked between bites of flaky bread. Each mouthful was an explosion of butter and honey, transporting me back to childhood breakfasts with Nonna. I savored every moment, not wanting this trip – or this memory – to end.

Ben grinned mischievously. "I thought we'd go shopping, and then head to the Eiffel Tower tonight."

"What're you planning?" I questioned, my eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"A surprise."

"Oh my God," I rolled my eyes. "The neverending surprises. I'm not even gonna try and guess what you're up to."

"Aw, damn," he teased and kissed my nose. "I always count on your pestering me when I have a surprise."

I laughed, swatting his arm. "As long as there's a bathroom nearby, I'll be a-okay." He chuckled and popped the rest of his croissant in his mouth.

Settling back against the bench, I could tell Ben was watching me as I finished my croissant. "I can feel you looking at me, you creep," I said with an amused tone to my voice without looking at him. "I thought we were supposed to be people watching."

"I am people watching," he insisted, leaning in so our faces were mere inches apart. His gaze dropped meaningfully to my lips. "And you, love, are definitely people."

Before I could respond, his own lips were on mine in a sweet surprise. My breath caught at the contact, butter and honey flavors mingling in a perfect Parisian kiss. But just then, a muffled giggle escaped me as a stray crumb tickled the back of my throat.

Ben pulled back, puzzled by my shaking shoulders. "Something funny?" he asked, one brow quirked in amused confusion. Unable to contain it, my laughter burst forth in a messy snort. The half-eaten croissant tumbled from my lips, landing squarely in his lap.

His gin only grew wider at the mess. "Oh really?" he chuckled as I wiped tears from my eyes from laughing too hard. Leaning in, his kiss swallowed my apologies until we were both lost in laughter and love on that sunny park bench.

"Lead the way, tour guide," I said when we pulled apart. He grinned, and we walked out of the gardens, and Ben eventually hailed a taxi. Thankfully, he knew enough French to adequately communicate with the locals.